Rate response

What if any are the benefits of having rate response on for a reasonably good for age runner.

So far as I know I don't have a problem with upper rate which was hitting 165 on exertion a few days prior to implant. Or with my HB responding naturally to increased effort.
Pre Implant Garmin curves show a rapid initial surge in HB followed by a gradual increase as the miles built up.

Was lowered at first check up but still don't feel great and some odd fluctuations in HB have been recorded on my Garmin.

If there are some positives I can do the pro's and cons bit before asking them to turn it off altogether which, at the moment I am inclined to do.

I've had some good guidance about what is happening from Pacemaker club but realised I didn't know what the potential benefits might be.

Thanks Nick

1 Comments

No benefits !!

by IAN MC - 2014-11-24 11:11:41

Hi Nick

If what you say is correct that " you don't have a problem with your heart rate responding naturally to increased effort " then you definitely don't need Rate Response and there are NO potential benefits in having it. If anything , there would be downsides to having it switched on unnecessarily.

If you do need it , the benefits are that you don't get breathless so quickly when you exercise.

I don't think you have said what your diagnosis is, if you have some type of AV block you are less likely to need Rate Response than if you have Sick Sinus Syndrome but everything you've written up to now suggests that you should probably have it switched off. Try it and see how you feel when you run.

Cheers

Ian

You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

Member Quotes

I am very lucky to have my device.